"Shepherds should of right
Leap, and dance, and sing;
Thus to see you sit
Is a right strange thing."
Nowell, etc.
Quoth these fellows three,
"To Bethl'em town we go,
To see a Mighty Lord
Lie in manger low."
Nowell, etc.
"How name ye this Lord,
Shepherds?" then said I.
"Very God," they said,
"Come from Heaven high."
Nowell, etc.
Then to Bethl'em town
We went two and two,
And in a sorry place
Heard the oxen low.
Nowell, etc.
Therein did we see
A sweet and goodly May,
And a fair old man;
Upon the straw she lay.
Nowell, etc.
And a little Child
On her arm had she;
"Wot ye who is this?"
Said the hinds to me.
Nowell, etc.
Ox and ass Him know,
Kneeling on their knee:
Wondrous joy had I
This little Babe to see.
Nowell, etc.
This is Christ the Lord:
Masters, be ye glad!
Christmas is come in,
And no folk should be sad.
Nowell, etc.
William Morris.